F16's Scrambled As Pilot, 75, Triggers Obama Alert

[Feuer Frei!]

A 75-year-old aviation enthusiast whose plane strayed into restricted airspace during a presidential visit, prompting fighter jets to be scrambled, has brushed off the incident.
Two F-16s intercepted Myrtle Rose's aircraft as she took to the skies over the suburbs of Chicago city on Wednesday afternoon.
The widow told US media she thought the warplanes were just admiring her plane.
The agency which oversees air safety in America said it was investigating.


Because of President Barack Obama's visit to Chicago on Wednesday to attend a fundraiser marking his 50th birthday, restrictions were in place forbidding private pilots to come within 30 miles (48km) of the city's O'Hare Airport.

Ms Rose told the Associated Press news agency that before flying her Piper J-3 Cub aircraft she normally checks for any airspace restrictions on her computer, but it was not working properly that day.
"I hadn't flown in over a week," Ms Rose told AP. "It was a beautiful afternoon."
She also said she did not have her radio on. Jets were scrambled from Toledo, Ohio, when air traffic controllers were unable to contact her.
Asked what she thought when the F-16s appeared, Ms Rose told AP: "I thought, 'Oh, well, they're just looking at how cute the Cub is.'"
When Ms Rose landed on an airstrip on the outskirts of Chicago, police were waiting.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad), which scrambled the two warplanes, said there was no excuse for not knowing about the airspace restrictions.
"The biggest thing to keep in mind is that when F-16s come screaming up to you, they are probably trying to tell you something," said Norad spokeswoman Stacey Knott.
Ms Rose said she had filled in a report with the Federal Aviation Administration, which said she could face a fine, a pilot's licence suspension, or no action at all.


SOURCE

5 August 2011 Last updated at 22:53

[Platapus]

The FAA and the military have no sense of humour concerning prohibited air space.

It is the PICs responsibility.

[Torplexed]

There was a similar incident in Seattle last year. A float plane who's pilot was unaware of the President being in Seattle for a fund-raiser wandered into restricted air space causing two jets to be scrambled from Portland. The resulting sonic bombs over populated areas set off quite a scare.

Going by TV news footage the pilot spent quite a few hours sitting at a table in the float plane airport with a Secret Service agent going over his flight plan, background and licenses.

[breadcatcher101]

You've got to admit those Piper Cubs are cute little planes, I am glad they didn't shoot Aunt Myrtle down.

Doesn't it seem a bit extreme to shut down private planes down within 30 miles where ever the president happens to be? I know of the post 9/11 thing and all but come on.

He came through not far from here recently and traffic was tied up and to top that our cell phones were jammed which didn't please me at all. What if I had to make an urgent call or something?

He has SS all around him for protection. That should be enough.

[Platapus]

I remember flying civilian airplanes in South Korea. Not a good idea. The South Koreans have moving prohibited zones that they don't tell you about until after you violate them.

They kinda like to discourage private pilots in South Korea.

I'd like to know how much damage you could possibly do with a Piper Cub? I'm pretty sure even if you smashed it directly into the president it wouldn't hurt him.

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

Platabus could you as a pilot answer to small question? It was mentioned that there is restricted airspace of 30 miles in diameter. From edge of restriced airspace how long it would take for Piper Cub to reach center? If we assume that president is in that location and that aircraft is flying in relatively low altitude, how much warning time Secret Service would have?